Emas will use the funding to identify and procure texts and other educational resources that can be provided to students as free alternatives to purchasing textbooks.

“As this program is completely online for students anywhere in the world, we are working toward making textbooks more accessible,” Emas said. “Our goal is to offer free and accessible textbooks for all ten courses. Our students deserve the best, and the provision of free texts aligns with the objectives of this innovative, international GEO•MPA program.”

Offering free texts for all of the program’s courses will provide students with an estimated cost savings of $1,500 – $2,000 per student.